Teen obesity is a growing national epidemic. The American Academy of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry reports that teen obesity can lead to depression and anxiety, as well as serious health problems. Weight loss camps offer health and fitness programs that inspire young adults to get in shape over the summer. Overweight teens in Pennsylvania don't have to look far: There are three main weight loss camps in or bordering the state.
Function
Older teens who attend weight loss camps in Pennsylvania go there to lose weight, but also to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Weight loss camps function as controlled environments that change poor eating habits and create new, good habits like exercise and fitness. Over the summer, overweight teens in Pennsylvania have the opportunity to lose weight in a positive environment along with their peers. They inspire each other to meet their short- and long-term weight loss goals, and have fun doing it.
Identification
There are three main summer weight loss camps for children, teens and young adults in Pennsylvania: Wellspring Pennsylvania, New Image Camp Pocono Trails, and Camp Pennbrook. Wellspring Pennsylvania is for kids and teens ages 11 to 18, and is co-ed. New Image Camp Pocono Trails is for kids and teens ages 8 to 18, and is also co-ed. Camp Pennbrook is for kids and teens ages 8 to 21, and is for girls only.
Features
All weight-loss camps in Pennsylvania feature controlled schedules that fill campers' day with exercise and fitness activities. There are sports, aquatics, cardio and aerobic classes. Some Pennsylvania weight-loss camps offer personal fitness trainers and cooking classes. Meals and snacks are portion-controlled. Outdoor games like ropes courses allow teens to build trust, and night activities like dances and talent shows allow teens to socialize and have fun. Some Pennsylvania weight-loss camps feature year-round programs.
Geography
Wellspring Pennsylvania is located 30 miles east of Pittsburgh in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. Outdoor activities include hiking, biking and rafting in surrounding Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. New Image Camp Pocono Trails is on a private lake front property where teens can practice jet-skiing and other water activities. The camp is located 90 minutes from Philadelphia and New York City, in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. Camp Pennbrook is located in Pennington, New Jersey, just 10 minutes from New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Effects
Some weight-loss camps in Pennsylvania promote tangible results: Wellspring says their campers lose an average of 4.25 lbs. per week, and Camp Pennbrook says campers average a 3 to 5 lb. loss per week. Regardless of the numbers, the camps teach older teens to maintain a healthy lifestyle, even after they go home. The effects of a managed fitness routine and balanced, nutritious meals can be lasting if teens continue using the tools they learn.
Benefits
Healthy habits older teens learn at weight-loss camps in Pennsylvania have important long-term benefits. The Center for Disease Control reports that "healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases." Physical activity helps maintain healthy bones and muscles, reduce psychological well-being, and helps "reduce the risk of developing obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease," according to the CDC.
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